YOUR FUTURE IS HERE gci.ie YOUR FUTURE IS HERE Choose to study at Galway Cultural Institute and prepare for an unforgettable experience. This is a place you will call home, where you will make lifelong friends and achieve the results in English language fluency that you need for your future success. You are most welcome to Galway Cultural Institute , one of Ireland's premier language schools, based in one of the most exciting and interesting coastal cities in the world. If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart. Nelson Mandela 04 08 YOUR CAMPUS CONTENTS YOUR LOCATION Your Future is Here From the World to Ireland Our Facilities Why Galway? Why GCI? 14 18 20 YOUR STAY OUR PROGRAMMES YOUR LEARNING Accommodation Programme Listing Key Facts Homestay Your Path to General English Proficiency Programmes Residences Out and About Study Abroad Programme Foundation Programmes Examination 32 36 Preparation Programmes English for Business YOUR GBS INFORMATION & Professionals Galway Directors Specialist Programmes Business School Customer Service Tailored Programmes Module Awards Accreditations Certificate Short Stay Group Programmes Programme Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Business (Hons) with International Business Add on YOUR FUTURE IS HERE 22 YOUR FUTURE IS HERE Contemporary building in a stunning location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Galway Bay Since 1989, GCI has provided English language programmes to students from all over the world – in fact, we have welcomed people from more than 30 countries. Our facilities are excellent and our teachers are the best . So, whether you need English for study, work or simply for pleasure, we can offer a language course tailored to meet your specific needs. 04 Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. William Butler Yeats Left to right: Mayor of Galway Padraig Conneely, David Niland CEO GBS/GCI, Celestine Rowland MD GBS/GCI, An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D. Prime Minister of Ireland, Mr. Frank Greene, President Galway Chamber of Commerce, Mr Liam Carroll, Mayor of Galway County 05 OUR TOP-CLASS FACILITIES INCLUDE n A stunning location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean n 30 spacious classrooms with lots of natural light n Latest Interactive Display Screens in every classroom n Free 4G Wi-Fi and access to PCs and printing n Bright open foyer and a large common room that can seat 120+ students n Full library with access to virtual and conventional resources n Café restaurant offering hot food and drinks n Landscaped gardens and deck overlooking Salthill beach 06 WHY GALWAY CULTURAL INSTITUTE? A full study pathway from language to foundation and degree programmes Superb customer service and excellent student feedback Expert staff with high levels of student support Social and cultural programme with opportunities for volunteering Record of excellent results and student progression Over 30 nationalities year round including Irish students Technology enhanced classrooms with flexible e-learning tools National and International accreditations: Irish Department of Education (QQI), IALC, EAQUALS Cambridge and IELTS Examination Testing Centre Access to the school from 8.00 to 21.30 and on Saturday mornings during low season 07 FROM THE WORLD TO IRELAND l angua ge pr actice while havi ng fun KNOCK GALWAY DUBLIIN SHANNON GCI’S NATIONALITY MIX ≤15% ≤12% ≤9% ≤6% ≤3% ≤2% ≤1% Russia Mexico Germany Switzerland France Austria Taiwan Czech Republic Poland Others Italy Spain Brazil Turkey, Japan Korea Saudi Arabia Oman 08 Ireland offers a completely unique and unforgettable living and learning experience e om elc h w Iris he f t th o arm w The warmth of the Irish welcome is legendary and it extends into the pubs, clubs and restaurants where you will find chat and 'craic'. Culturally, Ireland offers a rich and respected history in literature, music and the arts. Think Seamus Heaney, James Joyce, Oscar Wilde, W.B. Yeats, U2, Kodaline... For an island with a population of just 4.5 million, the Irish culture and way of life has travelled far and wide. You can read Beckett in Paris, watch 'Riverdance' in Beijing, even drink Guinness anywhere in the world. This vibrant cultural tradition means that you will always have something fun and exciting to do during your stay and will ensure lots of opportunities for language practice. The Irish accent has been voted the most desirable in the world above French, English, Spanish, American and Italian. 09 WHY GALWAY? n itio rad al t ltur t cu ran vib Founded in 1989, Galway Cultural Institute is located in Salthill in a contemporary and modern building. The location is stunning overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and just ten minutes’ walk from the city centre. Our spacious campus provides students with high quality technologically advanced teaching and learning facilities. Galway is an attractive study destination because of its top quality educational institutions, its location on the Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast of Ireland, its warm welcome and its hospitality. Its cultural heart, eco-friendly environment, enthusiasm for sports, as well as many festivals and events, attracts students, tourists and investment from all over the world. 10 European Capital of Culture 2020 Population 100,000 with 25,000 students in two top-class universities Galway is ranked as Financial Times No 1 Micro European city of the future 2016/17 European Capital of Culture 2020 Winner of the EU's prestigious European Green Leaf Environmental Award 2016 as Europe's most environmentally friendly small city Galway is Ireland’s leading medical device cluster with companies such as Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Creganna, Merit Medical, Novate, etc. Home to some of the World’s leading IT companies such as Cisco, Hewlett Packard, SAP, EA Games, Avaya etc. A culture capital with more than 30 festivals per year and an ideal location for the sports enthusiast Voted World’s Friendliest city by US Travel & Leisure Magazine 2015 Distinguished European city of Gastronomy in 2018 11 n The Wild Atlantic Way n The Aran Islands n The Cliffs of Moher & the Burren n Inishbofin n Connemara & Clifden n Leenane & Westport stunning landscapes & cultural gems SERVICES CLOSE TO THE SCHOOL Salthill, where the school is located, is one of the most sought after areas of Galway city. The school is 10-15 minutes’ walk from the city centre. Salthill has all the services you need on a daily basis. These include banks, post office, supermarkets, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, pharmacies, dry cleaners, medical centre, dental clinic, police station, taxi rank, bus stops, city bikes, promenade, beach, aquarium, gyms, swimming pools, diving tower, golf course, etc. 12 GETTING TO GALWAY IS EASY The easiest way to get from Dublin or Shannon airports to Galway is by bus. It is cheap and efficient. Buses from Dublin airport run every half hour almost all day. The journey lasts 2.5 – 3 hours and you get on the first stop (airport) and get off at the last stop (Galway Coach Station). From Shannon airport to Galway you can take a bus with www.buseireann.ie (1.5 hours). We can organise a Meet and Greet service or a private taxi transfer from all airports or from the bus station directly to your accommodation in Galway. The choice is yours. GETTING AROUND GALWAY IS EASY Galway is a small student city and walking is the preferred way to get from one place to another. It is cheap, safe and good for the mind and body. It is easy to walk from the school to the city centre, or from your accommodation to school. You can also catch a bus which stops right outside the school. Many students hire bicycles for the duration of their time with us. 13 YOUR STAY There are no strangers in here; only friends that have not yet met. William Butler Yeats Choosing where you live is a key decision when planning your study abroad experience with GCI. Whether you wish to stay in a host family or in a residence, we have plenty of options for you to choose from. There is no doubt that you will have the time of your life in Galway and we are here to help you. ing learn while dships g frien buildin 14 ACCOMMODATION We unders tand the importance of feeling at home We offer two principal accommodation options — residential and homestay. Hotels, B&Bs and private apartments can also be arranged on request. RESIDENCES HOMESTAY If you are looking for a little more Homestay is a great way to get to know independence, then choose from our people, the local culture and customs. It's the residential accommodation options, ideal solution for those who feel more available all year round. comfortable living in a family environment. Our residences are: Our homestay accommodations are: n Bright, modern, fully equipped n Friendly, welcoming and hospitable apartments or houses n All situated within a 10 to 25 minute n All situated within 5 to 20 minutes' bus ride from the school walk from the school n Carefully selected by our n Self-catering accommodation officer They offer: They offer: n Single or shared room options n Breakfast and dinner every day, and full board at weekends n En-suite options n Single room (year round) or shared room n Free internet access (summer only) Please note that there are meal plan options available at Ozone Coffee Company, if you do n En-suite options not want to cook every day. 15 GETTING OUT AND ABOUT GCI’s varied social programme takes advantage of all that is happening in the city and surroundings.